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The Parkinson’s Foundation releases series of free Parkinson’s podcasts

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Author: Joe McAweaneyPublished: 28 June 2017

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The Parkinson’s Foundation has produced a series of podcasts, titled ‘Substantial Matters: Life and Science of Parkinson’s’. The free episodes, hosted by Dan Keller, will discuss a wide range of Parkinson’s topics, including early warning signs, treatments, exercise and nutrition

The Parkinson’s Foundation has produced a series of free podcasts, titled ‘Substantial Matters: Life and Science of Parkinson’s’, focusing on the issues that affect those living with Parkinson’s disease.

In the series, the host Dan Keller talks to a wide range of experts and explores subjects such as medication, exercise, clinical trials and nutritional tips.

Learn more about each podcast below.

Episode 1: Early warning signs of Parkinson’s

In the debut episode Dr Michael Okun, professor of neurology at the University of Florida, discusses the early warning signs of Parkinson’s and offers advice on how to proceed after diagnosis.

Episode 2: The Parkinson Foundation’s role in improving standards of care

In this instalment Dr Peter Schmidt, senior vice president at the Parkinson’s Foundation, gives advice on where those living with Parkinson’s can receive the best interdisciplinary care. Dr Schmidt also discusses the ever improving standards of Parkinson’s care around the world, and how the Parkinson’s Foundation have been making an impact globally.

Episode 3: The benefit of exercise for people with Parkinson’s

Professor Bas Bloem, professor of neurology and Parkinson’s Net director, discusses the relationship between exercise and Parkinson’s. Prof Bloem also offers advice on how to overcome barriers and get enough exercise.

Episode 4: The importance of good nutrition for people with Parkinson’s

In this episode Parkinson’s expert Professor Bas Bloem returns to discuss nutrition, and how a correct diet can help manage symptoms and optimise the effects of medication.

Episode 5: How to manage Parkinson’s ‘off’ time

Host Dan Keller is joined by Dr Irene Malaty, medical director at the Parkinson’s Foundation, to discuss the ‘on-off’ fluctuations that affect those living with Parkinson’s. The 15-minute episode assesses what causes these issues and how those with Parkinson’s can respond.

IN THE NEWS

Carefully selected news stories from the international Parkinson's community.

3 weeks ago

Excess calcium in brain could cause Parkinson’s

Researchers at the University of Cambridge, UK, have discovered that excess levels of calcium in brain cells may lead to the formation of the toxic clusters that signify Parkinson’s disease. The findings, reported in the journal ‘Nature Communications’, show that calcium can influence the interaction between small membranous structures inside nerve endings, which are important for neuronal signaling in the brain, and alpha-synuclein – the protein associated with Parkinson’s disease. Dr Janin Lautenschläger, the paper’s first author, said: “This is the first time we’ve seen that calcium influences the way alpha-synuclein interacts with synaptic vesicles. We think that alpha-synuclein is almost like a calcium sensor. In the presence of calcium, it changes its structure and how it interacts with its environment, which is likely very important for its normal function.”

Jewish people with Crohn’s disease more likely to carry LRRK2 gene mutation

A scientific study has concluded that there may be a link between Parkinson’s and Crohn’s disease within the Ashkenazi Jewish community. The study’s findings, which were published in the journal ‘Science Translational Medicine’, has found that members of the population with Crohn’s disease are more likely to carry the LRRK2 mutation which is a significant cause of Parkinson’s. Lead researcher Dr Inga Peter, professor of genetics and genomic sciences at the Icahn School of Medicine, New York, US, said: “Crohn’s disease is a complex disorder with multiple genes and environmental factors involved, which disproportionately affects individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry. “The presence of shared LRRK2 mutations in patients with Crohn’s disease and Parkinson’s disease provides refined insight into disease mechanisms and may have major implications for the treatment of these two seemingly unrelated diseases.”

Could caffeine in the blood help diagnose Parkinson’s?

Blood caffeine levels could be promising diagnostic biomarkers for early-stage Parkinson’s, Japanese researchers reported in the journal ‘Neurology’ earlier this month. The study found that people with Parkinson’s had lower levels of caffeine and caffeine metabolites in their blood than people without the disease, at the same consumption rate. Caffeine concentrations also were decreased in Parkinson’s patients with motor fluctuations than in those without Parkinson’s. However, patients in more severe disease stages did not have lower caffeine levels. The study’s authors, Dr David Munoz, University of Toronto, and Dr Shinsuke Fujioka, Fukuoka University, suggested that the “decrease in caffeine metabolites occurs from the earliest stages of Parkinson’s.” They added: “If a future study were to demonstrate similar decreases in caffeine in untreated patients with Parkinson’s […] the implications of the current study would take enormous importance.”